Page 98 - JobsPlus - Occupational Handbook

feature of a General Practitioner’s work. Many professionals choose to work on a self- employed basis and may run their own private clinic.
Working as a General Practitioner involves working long hours and may be on call. Additionally, most Doctors may be contacted on public holidays and non-working days due to the nature of their work.
Occupation data
Entry level education / special licences / warrants
To practice as a General Practitioner one would require:
• Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (University of Malta) (MQF Level 7)
For further details on specific entry requirements, it is advisable to consult the respective educational institution’s website.
Qualifications awarded by foreign bodies need to be recognised or pegged with a particular MQF Level by the MQRIC office within NCFHE.
For related training offered by other educational institutions, it is advisable to consult the list of accredited courses on the NCFHE website.
After successful completion, graduates may apply for limited registration with the Malta Medical Council. At this stage, graduates are entitled to apply for a position as a Foundation Doctor. Subsequently, in order to obtain full registration, newly graduated doctors are obliged to undergo The Malta Foundation
Programme, a two year mandatory training programme which consists of structured teaching and supervised on-the-job training. During this Basic Specialist Training (BST), Doctors are exposed to the different specialisations. After this two year period, Doctors may obtain the warrant.
Further to completing the Foundation Programme, Doctors are required to pass a proficiency exam in Maltese within a two year period. This is a requirement for specialisation.
After this two year training period, Doctors need to choose their specialisation and undergo further training in General Practice.
Knowledge and skills
General Practitioners are expected to have:
• Knowledge of Biology, Human Anatomy and Biochemistry
• The ability to carry out a diagnosis in line with scientific knowledge and principles
• The ability to perform practical procedures such as blood transfusions, injections and administration of first aid
• The ability to determine which medication to prescribe to patients
• An understanding of ethical and legal principles in the medical setting
• The ability to deliver bad news to patients and relatives
• The ability to listen, evaluate and take immediate action
• The ability to maintain boundaries with patients
• Leadership and management abilities
Number of employees (2017)
646
Share of foreigners (2017)
5%
Job Outlook (2018 - 2022)
+12%
Median Pay (per annum)
€27,200
Jobsplus
98